Moore satisfied with ‘enjoyable’ win over Robins

Royals defender Liam Moore was satisfied with Saturday’s result against Bristol City as the Royals held out to take their fifth straight league win in a tightly contested second half.

Moore was pleased with the team performance, believing the Royals showed a real commitment in the second period to keep the visitors at bay.

“It was enjoyable but also quite worrying at times,” admitted the centre back. “There were a couple of last ditch blocks and a great save in the first half from Ali as well. Sometimes you have to do that, you can’t always have your way for 90 minutes in this league. You have to be able to win in different ways. Against Bristol City the first half was really good and second half was backs to the wall but we had to stand up.

“It was a hard fought win it was good in the second half because they really pushed us for it,” he continued. “They’ve got great attacking threats and we stood up well to it and got the three points that I think we deserved overall.”

The Robins’ late strike from Gary O’Neil was the first goal the Royals had conceded in 446 minutes in the Championship, and despite the impressive run coming to an end, Moore is confident Reading can start another one with their solid back line.

The 22 year old will be missing the Royals’ next league clash through suspension due to the fact he picked up his fifth booking of the season on Saturday. Though he is frustrated, the defender is confident the team can go to Fulham and get a result as he watches on from the sidelines.

“It was a long spell without conceding a goal before Saturday and it was a bit of a shame it wasn’t longer,” reflected Moore. “Their goal was a great finish and even watching that back on the highlights you can see the boys’ commitment, throwing their bodies at the ball, but he managed to pick out a spot we couldn’t reach.

“Sometimes you just have to hold your hands up to goal like that and now we want to start a run again. I’m obviously disappointed to be missing the next game through suspension but I’ll have to take it on the chin and try and get back in the team as soon as I can.

“I’m confident the boys can go and get a result at Fulham,” continued the defender. “We’ve got an identity, we’ve got a way of playing and if we can stick to that and be better than Fulham on the day then yeah, why not?”

Moore says he has thoroughly enjoyed his time at the club so far since signing from Premier League champions Leicester City in the summer. The centre-half feels he is learning a huge amount from Reading manager Jaap Stam, and that he has improved as a player since the beginning of the season as a result.

“I’m enjoying the style of play here, and I’m learning a lot,” said Moore. “I always feel you enjoy things more when you are picking up new things. The management staff here are great, they’ve got lots of different ways of doing things, of movements and technical and tactical ways of the game.

“It’s brilliant to be part of it and you always enjoy it that little bit more when you’re getting the results. For me personally playing the ball is an aspect of the game I’ve always wanted to work on. To have a manager that has the same thoughts about wanting his defenders to play is only going to improve me as a player.

“Me and all the other boys playing in defence, we have to be comfortable with the ball there are no two ways about it,” he continued. “We have to make angles and we have to take brave decisions. The gaffer always wants us to drive forward and take the initiative. If I can improve that in my game it will make me a better player.”